Accepted students and alternates to any LSC nursing program who completed high school outside the United States of America or who took the GED in any language other than English MUST provide proof of English language proficiency.

This can be done by submitting one of the following:

1. Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) with score of 560 or higher on a paper exam, 220 or higher on a computer exam and 83 or higher on an Internet based exam, as of January 2015.
2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS ) Academic Test with an overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in all of the four modules for the Academic Test.  
3. Provide documentation of graduation from high school from an English speaking country such as Canada (other than Quebec), Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ireland.   
4. If graduated from English speaking high school in a country not listed above in #3, provide official transcripts and a notarized letter from the headmaster/principal of the high school stating that English was the primary language of the courses taught.
5. Provide documentation of graduation from a college or university in the United States, or other English speaking countries such as Canada (other than Quebec), Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ireland.  

Information about the TOEFL and registration for the TOEFL IBT (Internet based test) can be found at: http://www.ets.org/toefl/

• There are books to help prepare for the TOEFL test at: http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/prepare/
• To view a list of testing sites in Texas, please read further

Information about the IELTS and registration for the IELTS can be found at:

• To view test sites in Houston: http://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search/search_results.aspx

Both the National Council for the State Board of Nursing and the Texas Board of Nursing recommends inclusion of English proficiency as criteria for applicants to ensure the applicant's ability to use and comprehend spoken and written English at a sufficient level for entry into practice. Based on this, proficiency in English is required for LSCS nursing programs for both patient safety and student success.